2. Content Area and Pedagogical Knowledge

Click: weather lesson plan

Artifacts

The document above is a unit plan that I created in my first placement during my student teaching. For this lesson, the central focus is on the weather. The students will learn about the different types of weather and weather patterns. We will learn about how weather is different and changes in different areas depending on the climate. We will also learn about the seasons, and how the weather changes and is different during each season as well. We will focus on various concepts that are a part of weather like rain, wind, storms, clouds, and how they are all related to one another.

Connection to the IPTS standard

This lesson offers many ways for students to think about the weather and use prior knowledge and understand the process of weather. During the lesson, the students will be given various concepts that are a part of weather like rain, wind, storms, clouds, and how they are all related. Meaningful learning experiences are created through the way that they explore the content using research-based practices and how they are constantly reflecting. In this lesson, I "facilitate learning connections that make connections to other content areas and to life experiences" (2N). The students are combining science and individual life experiences in every lesson. I have the students discuss how to record data, interpret a graph, and identify the signs of severe weather. Another essential topic included is learning how to interpret the weather outside and choose appropriate clothing to suit it. By using various teaching methods, I was able to have my students make connections between science and the world around them.

Description of what was Learned

This was a lesson that took longer than other lessons. The students wanted to learn more about it. However, this assignment was very beneficial, and I will be able to take it into my future classroom, whether it is a 3rd-grade class or even discussed during any school year. Through creating this artifact, I learned about the importance of creating coherent lessons and building upon one another. It is crucial to tying learning into previous lessons and previous experiences in the students' lives.

Click: Number Bonds Lesson Plan

Artifacts

During my student teaching placement in special education, I taught a math lesson to diverse students with different abilities. My lesson provided hands-on learning opportunities, and students were able to engage by using a variety of manipulatives. I created this presentation to help students better understand the concept of number bonds. One of the math stations hosted the exhibition. Repetition was used to assist students as they rotated through the math stations. The students went over the concept they were learning several times.

Connection to the IPTS standard

This artifact is important because it shows that I'm able to use formative assessment to guide my teaching. It also shows that I'm responsive to the needs of all my students. It shows evidence of IPTS 2M "uses a variety of explanations and multiple representations of concepts that capture key ideas to help each student develop conceptual understanding and address common misunderstandings." The first lesson taught had fewer visuals and limited manipulatives which required more practice. Therefore as I continue to teach this lesson the second time I address any misunderstandings and I use more modeling.

Description of What I Learned:

I learned that trying different approaches to teaching a concept that students do not understand is normal. Not all students learn in the same way or at the same rate. The unifying goal is to ensure that students are learning. Learning is a long-term process; this demonstrates to students that even if we don't understand something the first time, it only means that we must keep trying. To address students' misunderstandings and new learning, I was able to adjust my teaching and use a variety of explanations.